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Caution! Nefarious Magic Muffins and Black Magic Boobies Herein

Believe it or not, there was a time, long ago in the United States when women were treated as second-class citizens. Actually, they weren’t even treated like humans. Instead, they were the property of their fathers, husbands, or closest male relatives. They were considered inferior to men. Fortunately, that time has ended.

Naw, I’m kidding. The mentality that views women as inferior incubators with nefarious magic muffins and black magic boobies hellbent on the destruction of menfolk is alive and well.

Conjury coochies aside, we women should take a second to celebrate that moment in history when women joined hands and shot rainbows from their vaginas . . . oh no that was carebears and magic tummies. Ahem. We should celebrate that moment in history when women stood together to demand equality.

In honor of the day women won the right to vote, August 26, 1920, and also to commemorate the same day in 1970 when there was a nationwide women’s rights brouhaha, the US designated August 26th of each year to be Women’s Equality Day. All the men presidents (there are some provisos and limitations with full suffrage for some citizens) have issued a proclamation every year since then:

“WHEREAS, the women of the United States have been treated as second-class citizens and have not been entitled the full rights and privileges, public or private, legal or institutional, which are available to male citizens of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have united to assure that these rights and privileges are available to all citizens equally regardless of sex;

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have designated August 26, the anniversary date of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, as symbol of the continued fight for equal rights: and

WHEREAS, the women of United States are to be commended and supported in their organizations and activities,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that August 26 of each year is designated as “Women’s Equality Day,” and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation annually in commemoration of that day in 1920, on which the women of America were first given the right to vote, and that day in 1970, on which a nationwide demonstration for women’s rights took place.”

Thank you, Wiki, you can go now.

So we should all be grateful to our foremothers and suffragettes -those British ass kicking activists- for all they endured in their

fight to ensure our freedoms (or some of them). Theirs was a hard-won victory. Many women were arrested and force-fed during hunger strikes with varying illnesses resulting from this maltreatment. However, no victory for suffrage was harder won than that fought by African Americans and began by such amazing women as Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Sojourner Truth, and Rosa Parks. African American women and men faced many issues and were oftentimes prohibited from exercising their right to vote. Unfortunately, many people remain targets of various voter prohibiting schemes and gerrymandering.

We still have a long way to go before we actually receive the full rights and privileges available to men. So if you vote, thank a feminist and if you’re one of those women who hate feminism, do get that internalized misogyny looked at. 😉

And props to Finland for being the first country to grant all its citizens full suffrage. =)

I have pointed out to many women that they’ve had the right to vote for less than 100 years. I am always surprised that most of them had no idea. (Except my sister. She and I have discussed many times how far women have come and how far society still needs to go.)

Then again, I grew up two towns south of Seneca Falls, NY. Home of the first Women’s Rights Convention in 1848, and went to the same college (Hobart College) as Elizabeth Blackwell, first woman to receive a medical degree in the U. S.. So I am pretty lucky to have grown up around such a rich history.

Having moved south of the Mason-Dixon line as an adult, I find myself riddled with disappointments as to how women are still treated. Indeed, in the town I live in, the charter for the city states specifically that women shall not be allowed to vote. A meaningless law at this point, but such things still bother me. As if it is somehow not worth the time to take it off the books.

A rich history indeed re Seneca Falls and Elizabeth Blackwell and a history all women should be familiar with, in my opinion. Yeah, the South is scary in that its views on women and minorities have remained unchanged since the time of colonials. 😦

I probably should clarify that NY state isn’t a haven of women’s equality. You can find misogyny everywhere. But the “Prevailing Wind”, so to speak, seems to be better.

I recently had an opportunity to work with a number of Texans on a job. When I asked one of the more normal/approachable/reasonable guys why it seemed so many Texans were openly misogynistic (I backed it up with news articles and not finger pointing) he started, “Well, some men tend to think…” and then he proceeded to describe himself. It was very surreal. (^.o)

I think Texas is surreal in general. (Kidding). I believe a good number of misogynistic people are completely unaware of it, such is the depth with which this way of thinking has been ingrained in our society.

Now, that I’ve picked myself up off the floor, after reading; the line about; Care Bears (lol – hilarious!) I’m going to make a fairly controversial statement; I do not believe there can ever be ‘True’ equality, as there are too many differences between the genders, but I categorically ‘know’ women need to be treated better…..we are capable of things men aren’t and vice versa, but everyone deserves respect, compassion, and life, devoid of; any kind of abuse. We’re all on earth with a path to tread, and lessons to learn, so we need to be easier on each other, and ourselves.
I hope everyone, travels safe on their life’s path.
(Kimberly – Thank you for the follow, and great, thought-inspiring post)

I don’t think that’s a controversial statement as you make a valid point.

Gender roles and stereotypes are damaging and harmful to society. True equality is attainable but will take many years of education and awareness. People didn’t learn to hate and fear diversity overnight.

We’re living in a time where awareness and education are slowly taking center stage. The internet has connected us in a way in which people have never before been connected. Social networking is bringing change and understanding. I feel confident that we grow ever closer to a world where diversity will be praised instead of feared.

You mention what very well could be one of the biggest roadblocks to true equality and that is being easier on ourselves. Insecurity and self-doubt propel us to seek out the security of a hive wherein we celebrate in the sameness we share with others while judging and mocking outsiders to further increase our sense of security.

I think; as humans, we’re in such a rush to forge ahead technologically, that we forget; we’re still infants with regards to spirituality, humanity, and individual self-esteem. We still, have a lot of growing-up to do, to be all we could be.
We tend to identify; with patriarchal groups, or countries; wanting to ‘Win’ or not be seen; as a loser in any sense, yet we forget there’s a lot we could gain, by getting in touch more with our feminine side, or matriarchal lineage…..Perhaps if we listened to our soul or hearts more, we’d become more ‘whole’ as individuals.
There’s been, instances in Australia; where children are being taught meditation in school, to enable them to relax more, and; it’s a shame it’s needed, but is it something; that may help the world progress? If children the world over were taught more about; their inner-self, would it enable them to grow up; better people, so that; they ‘really’ can be our future?
You started a lot of profound thought inside me with this post….Thank you! 🙂

Proud supporter of Equality

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